Characters and the systematics of Drosophilidae

Seven genera of the family Drosophilidae were studied for comparison of molecular and morphological data sets. This particular family was chosen because of the advanced stage of morphological analysis and the steadily increasing molecular systematics of the group. Furthermore, the molecular, genetic and developmental status of Drosophila melanogaster is far advanced and any developmental analysis can be applied to all members of Drosophilidae. It was therefore concluded that a study of the molecular and genetic basis of morphology and development in Drosophila will give valid data for the understanding of homoplasy in systematics,